Expertise Detail

Technology & Licensing

  snIP/ITs Blog

Whether you are a technology developer or technology consumer seeking counsel, you need professionals with a full-time finger on the global pulse of this fast-changing sector – lawyers who quarterback contractual arrangements and licensing provisions specific to the technology sector on a daily basis.

Canada's software, hardware and specialized computer developers and vendors choose McCarthy Tétrault. So do major corporations, biotechnology companies, integrated circuit manufacturers, manufacturers, financial institutions and private/public partnerships that use and distribute technology or purchase enterprise-wide licensing agreements and mission-critical systems. Why? Because of our: 

• Superlative reputation. Our computer and information technology law practice is Canada's largest and strongest, led by practice leaders who are among the country's foremost authorities. Among their publications: George Takach's Computer Law and Barry Sookman's four-volume Sookman: Computer Law: Acquiring and Protecting Information Technology. McCarthy Tétrault lawyers teach technology law at Canadian law schools and international conferences, and help establish precedent-setting decisions before tribunals and courts on novel technologies and standards. Many appear annually in guides to the best of the best.
• Unsurpassed breadth. Our practitioners know software licensing, information technology system procurement, service arrangements, new media products and financing arrangements. They keep you ahead of current and emerging trends in technology transactions.
• Coast-to-coast expertise. We partner seamlessly with Canada’s best labour and employment, intellectual property, tax, litigation, arbitration, regulatory and business law specialists. In addition to top-drawer legal advice related to your technology requirements, we can also provide you with superb employment, financing, initial public offering, pension law and other legal advice.

Technology Developers and Vendors

We help you structure your company to meet your business and financial goals – from start up through growth and expansion – by:

• applying the latest legal principles to your most current events;
• protecting you with detailed agreements that address your specific situation, circumstances and requirements;
• negotiating revenue-generating domestic and international licensing and distribution arrangements;
• arranging technology, venture capital, bank or equity financing as well as joint ventures and strategic alliances; and
• helping you structure your business to ensure the most advantageous possible merger, acquisition, divestiture and/or IPO.

Technology Consumers

We are experts in sophisticated IT system and services procurement contracts; leases, distribution and development agreements; and cost-effective licensing arrangements for businesses requiring company-wide rights to deploy a technology.

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